Press

For the most updated information on programs offered at the Penn Museum, and for online pre-registration (optional or required for some programs) visit the Museum's website: www.penn.museum/calendar, or call (215) 898-2680.

September 11—An Afternoon RemembranceTen years to the day that two hijacked planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, Penn Museum marks the solemn occasion with three special programs-two September 11, one October 12-and a powerful display, Excavating Ground Zero: Fragments of 9/11, on view August 20 through November 6, 2011. Join us as we remember-and reflect anew.

September 11Sunday, 1:00 pmAfternoon LectureMaking a Monument: The Fall and Rise of the World Trade CenterMinoru Yamasaki's design for the World Trade Center, unveiled in 1964, was harshly criticized, only gradually gaining a place in the hearts of New Yorkers and tourists alike in the years that followed the towers opening in 1972-73. After they were destroyed on September 11, 2001, the twin towers were lionized. Like monuments in all ages, the World Trade Center has had its meaning defined and changed several times in response to the needs, expectations, and memories of the people. Dr. David Brownlee, Shapiro-Weitzenhoffer Professor of the History of Art at Penn, recounts the story of the World Trade Center as he explores the making of monuments in the modern world. Admission: Pay-what-you-want.

In the weeks, months, and years following the events of September 11, 2001, archaeologists and physical anthropologists excavated the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. Penn Museum's special display features 15 poignant objects recovered at the site of Ground Zero including: eye glasses, a computer keyboard, glass from the Twin Towers, and visitor badges. Visitors can observe a Twin Towers memorial sculpture and image projections from the day of the attacks. A focal point of the display is a wall where visitors can share memories of September 11. Remember where you were that morning as you view the display of recovered fragments from Ground Zero, organized in conjunction with The National September 11 Memorial Museum. (Penn Museum offers special related programs September 11 and October 12) 3rd Floor Galleries

PHILADEPHIA, PA—The scientific integrity of one 19th century Philadelphia scientist has been reaffirmed—but at the decided expense of a prominent late 20th century scientist who had discredited him.

Such was the conclusion reached by a group of anthropologists working collaboratively to re-examine, and perform anew, scientific measurements on a famous collection of nearly 1,000 skulls from around the world, the "American Golgotha" collected and studied by Philadelphia physician Samuel George Morton (1799-1851). Today, much of the collection resides at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia, where members of the anthropology team performed their analyses.

When school lets out, summer reading is a crucial activity for children and young adults-who can lose up to three months of their reading skills during the vacation season if they stop reading. Library summer reading programs strive to encourage reading, and learning, for all ages.

DISCOVER THE WORLD Collaboration

This summer, the Free Library of Philadelphia's summer reading program theme is DISCOVER THE WORLD @ YOUR LIBRARY. The program runs June 20 through August 12, 2011. Penn Museum has partnered with the library system to extend the experience for children and youth, ages 6 through 18, who sign up for the reading program, by providing them each with a FREE PASS to continue their summer exploration in the Penn Museum's three floors of art and artifacts from cultures through time and around the world.

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology one of more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer

Philadelphia, May 23—Today the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology announces the launch of Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2011. Military personnel and their families need only to show valid military or military family ID. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Penn Museum Partners with Lucasfilm, Ltd., Montreal's X3 Productions and the National Geographic Society To Present Indiana JonesTM and the Adventure of Archaeology

May 2011—The world premiere of Indiana JonesTM and the Adventure of Archaeology - The Exhibition opened at the Montreal Science Centre in Canada Thursday, April 28. While the exclusive collection of Indy props, models, concept art, and set designs are pure Hollywood, there is also a vast selection of artifacts, on display from the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, that help illustrate the science of archaeology.

Penn Museum's Alaskan Umiaq is Centerpiece of ExhibitionAt the United Nations Headquarters in NYC

PHILADELPHIA, PA May 2011—Penn Museum's largest object from Alaska—a 15-foot long Umiaq, or Iñupiaq boat—journeys to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where it takes center stage in a new exhibition, The Right to Water and Indigenous Peoples, May 16 through June 30, 2011. The exhibition, which marks the Tenth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, highlights water's critical relevance to indigenous peoples' cultural vitality as well as their social and economic well being, and includes contributions from indigenous film and photographic artists from all over the world.

About the UmiaqThe Museum's Umiaq (15'1"L by 4'6"W by 1'7"H, object #29-47-5) is an Iñupiaq wooden frame boat covered with stretched walrus hide coated with seal oil, and dates to the late 19th-early 20th centuries. Sewn or spliced together without benefit of nails, which could rust and sink the boat, Umiaqs are still used by Iñupiaq people for hunting whales or for summer transport. They are easier to repair than aluminum boats and don't make metallic sounds that can frighten away whales.

PHILADELPHIA, PA 2011--The sounds of summer in West Philadelphia, on Penn's campus, just got sweeter! Penn Museum presents its second annual PM @ Penn Museum summer music series with a diverse line-up of outdoor performances taking place every Wednesday, June 22 through August 24, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, in the Penn Museum's Warden Garden.

PHILADELPHIA, PA 2011--This year's Summer Wonder series at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will have children and their families belly dancing, listening to world music and the folk music of yesteryears, exploring ancient Greece, "journeying" to Uganda, discovering science through experiments-and more!

Summer Wonder 2011 programs run Wednesday mornings for eight weeks, June 22 through August 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 am. The programs are free with Museum admission donation. For more information or to pre-register groups of 10 or more (no pre-registration necessary for individuals and families), contact the Education department at (215) 746-6774 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA—This summer, adventurous children ages 7 through 13 can experience a unique day camp that takes them through time and across continents at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Penn's campus in Philadelphia.

"Anthropologists in the Making," runs eight theme-oriented one-week sessions from June 20 through August 12, 2011. Details about the popular camp, coordinated by the Penn Museum's Community Engagement department, are online at www.penn.museum/camp. A downloadable registration form is also available.

PHILADELPHIA, PA Spring 2011—Following major renovations to the third floor west wing galleries—including the addition of central air conditioning, new windows, lighting enhancements and refurbishment to the terrazzo flooring and marble trim-Penn Museum reopens the wing to the public on Saturday, April 30 at 1:00 pm, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and an invitation to visit two timely exhibitions: Battleground: War Rugs from Afghanistan, a traveling exhibition making its United States debut, and Iraq's Ancient Past: Rediscovering Ur's Royal Cemetery—a long-term exhibition featuring the Museum's world renowned Mesopotamian collections from Ur, newly reinstalled.

“With America engaged in military operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, these two exhibitions are especially relevant,” noted Dr. Richard Hodges, the Williams Director of the Penn Museum. “Battleground provides a look at how one celebrated artistic tradition has been changed by war, while Iraq’s Ancient Past explores an extraordinary ancient culture and heritage now at great risk from modern-day looting.”

Iraq's Ancient Past: Rediscovering Ur's Royal Cemetery, an exhibition that features materials discovered at and excavated from the ancient Royal Cemetery at Ur, located in present-day Iraq, originally opened October 25, 2009. The exhibition has been closed during gallery renovations since July 2010.

SPRING 2011-Penn Museum invites visitors to an afternoon exploring the history of the ancient Roman Empire's spectacular fighter--the gladiator. Gladiator Day features gladiatorial bouts and demonstrations, a gladiator lecture, gladiator-inspired arts and crafts, balloon art creations, a food demonstration, and Italian-inspired cuisine, on Saturday, April 23, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, throughout the galleries of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. A PECO World Culture Day, the Celebration is FREE with Museum admission donation ($10 for adults; $7 for seniors [65+]; $6 for full-time students [with ID] and children [6-17]; free for Museum members, children under 6, and PennCard holders).

"Theater of War" is Presented for First Time in Philadelphia Saturday, April 2, 1:30 pm

PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 15, 2011—Theater of War Productions, a social impact company that presents readings of ancient Greek plays for military service members and civilians, offers its first Philadelphia performance at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in the Harrison auditorium on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 1:30 pm. The program, co-sponsored with the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, the Department of Classics at the University of Pennsylvania, and the People's Light & Theatre company, is FREE to all military service members, veterans, and the general public.

Penn Museum Presents Battleground: War Rugs from AfghanistanApril 30 through July 31, 2011

PHILADELPHIA, PA Spring 2011—Battleground: War Rugs from Afghanistan, a traveling exhibition organized by the Textile Museum of Canada, makes its United States debut at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, where it will be on display beginning Saturday, April 30 at 1:00 pm, through July 31, 2011. Dr. Brian Spooner, Curator, Near East Section of the Penn Museum and an anthropologist who specializes in Afghanistan and oriental rugs, offers an opening day introductory lecture, following an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the exhibition, and the reopening of Iraq's Ancient Past: Rediscovering Ur's Royal Cemetery, at 1:00 pm.

PHILADELPHIA--Penn Museum celebrates the final days of its landmark exhibition from China, Secrets of the Silk Road, with an event for all ages: Along the Silk Road on Saturday, March 26th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. This PECO World Culture Day brings Silk Road cultures vividly to life with music and dance performances, a tea tasting and talk, dance and craft workshops, lectures by acclaimed writers and scholars, children's activities, a self-guided Silk Road tour, and a grand finale dance performance. The celebration is free with Museum admission donation ($10 general admission; $7 senior citizens [65+]; $6 students [with ID] and children [6 to 17]; free for children under 6, members, and PennCard holders). Visitors who wish to see Secrets of the Silk Road, open with artifacts from China through March 28 only, can buy advance, special timed tickets which include entry to the Museum and the special event (online: www.penn.museum/silkroad or by phone: (877) 77-CLICK). Visitors may purchase tickets at the Museum that day, while supplies last.

YEAR OF THE RABBIT1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011The Rabbit sign symbolizes character traits such as creativity, compassion and sensitivity. Calm and considerate, rabbits prefer to avoid conflict. Rabbits are friendly, outgoing, and prefer the company of others.- from The Chinese Zodiac

PHILADELPHIA--Hop to it and welcome in the Year of the Rabbit! The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology presents the 30th annual Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, February 12, 2011, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm! This PECO World Culture Day features music and dance performances, healing and martial arts demonstrations, games, workshops, children's activities, and grand opening as well as grand finale lion dance performances. The celebration is free with Museum admission donation ($10 general admission; $7 senior citizens [65+]; $6 students [with ID] and children [6 to 17]; free for children under 6, members, and PennCard holders).

The Pepper Mill Café at the Penn Museum Unveils Silk Road Menu, "Secret" RecipesDuring Run of Secrets of the Silk Road

Along with cultures, religions, silks and other luxury items, food traveled the Silk Road.

The Pepper Mill Café at the Penn Museum invites guests to take a culinary journey along the Silk Road. The Café offers a changing variety of regionally-inspired Silk Road lunch menus, daily afternoon teas-even Happy Hour drinks and bar snacks-to extend the Silk Road experience during the run of the special exhibition, February 5 through June 5, 2011.

Opening Weekend Celebration Features Camels, Oasis Tent, Special Activities for Secrets of the Silk Road, Landmark Exhibition from China at the Penn Museum Saturday and Sunday, February 5 and 6, 2011

Look out for camels—and a lot of hoopla at 3260 South Street in Philadelphia—as the Penn Museum kicks off the exclusive East Coast premiere of Secrets of the Silk Road, the landmark exhibition from China!

A host of special sights, sounds, and activities are in store for Penn Museum visitors at the grand opening weekend of Secrets of the Silk Road, Saturday and Sunday, February 5 and 6, from 10:00 am opening to 5:00 pm closing.

WINTER 2010--Penn Museum invites families to an afternoon exploration of the rich cultures of Africa and the African diaspora. The 22nd annual Celebration of African Cultures features music and dance, storytelling, arts and crafts, games, cuisine, and more on Saturday, January 22, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm throughout the galleries of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. A PECO World Culture Day, the Celebration is FREE with Museum admission donation ($10 for adults; $7 for seniors [65+]; $6 for full-time students [with ID] and children [6-17]; free for Museum members, children under 6, and PennCard holders).

A blend of acclaimed local participants include evocative storyteller Momma Sandi, vocalist and storyteller Queen Nur, the Neo-African Drum and Dance group of La Salle College, and the Women's Sekere Ensemble. The University of Pennsylvania dance group African Rhythms offers the grand finale performance.

Throughout the day visitors can learn to play the traditional "board" game mancala, learn about daily life in the Republic of Senegal, create artwork inspired by traditional African art at family crafts tables, and shop for African-inspired items at the Museum's Main Shop and Pyramid shop for children.